The Female Psychology PhD Who Time Traveled to the Royal Harem-Chapter 544

Since breaking off her engagement with the Su Family’s second son, Su Changlin, Jiang Yunxia had rarely stepped outside.

After all, a well-bred young master from a prominent family had, because of this affair, become so disheartened that he not only renounced the world to become a monk but also severed ties with his own family.

Though Su Changlin had repeatedly defended her, insisting she was a good woman and that it was his own misfortune not to be able to marry her—

Still…

People only whispered that she was a seductress who sowed discord in households.

Moreover, on the night Su Changlin had fled with her, the Su Family’s servants had attempted to assault her, leaving her with deep emotional scars.

Now, she recoiled at the slightest approach from any man.

“Elder Sister…”

A timid voice called out—Jiang Yuncai. “The apricot blossoms at Hanlu Temple are in full bloom. Don’t you love flower-viewing? Won’t you… come with me?”

Her eyes were cautious, tinged with guilt and a plea for favor.

She was clearly worried.

Not just her sister—even their parents, hiding behind the door, too afraid to enter, shared the same concern.

Outside, spring was in full splendor. Sunlight scattered like shattered gold foil across the half-open windowsill, birdsong filled the air, and waves of floral fragrance drifted in.

“Ding-ling-ling…”

Jiang Yunxia hurried from her bed to the door and pushed it open. “It’s a dreamcatcher.”

Her voice brimmed with delight.

Jiang Yuncai looked up, puzzled, scratching her head. She hadn’t noticed when these dreamcatchers had appeared in the camphor tree outside her sister’s residence.

Beyond the Jiang Family’s walls—

Ma Yiyang brushed off the wood shavings from his hurried descent from the tree. Hearing the delighted exclamation from behind the high walls, the corners of his lips curled up. Light-footed, he made his way to the Ministry of Punishment.

The apricot blossoms at Hanlu Temple bloomed softly, but Jiang Yunxia’s arrival turned the lively garden eerily quiet.

Though no one dared to speak ill of the Jiangs to their faces, the hushed murmurs and the unfriendly, scrutinizing stares made Jiang Yunxia shrink back.

Jiang Yuncai wanted to defend her sister, but since the whispers and glances were subtle, any impulsive action would only worsen Jiang Yunxia’s plight.

“Maybe we should—”

“Ministry of Punishment on official business! Clear the way!”

Seven or eight stern-faced men, leading a group of bailiffs, stormed in, scattering the delicate young ladies enjoying the blossoms into a flurry of shrieks.

The matrons, recognizing the leader as Ma Yiyang—infamously known as the “Black-Faced Judge”—had no heart left for flowers. They hastily ushered their daughters away.

Jiang Yunxia had meant to leave too, but after driving off the crowd, the bailiffs quietly withdrew, careful not to disturb her carriage.

Of course…

Ma Yiyang, the Ministry of Punishment’s chief clerk, was Fourth Uncle’s right-hand man. He would never dare offend the Jiang Family.

And besides… he had saved her.

On that desperate, helpless night, he had descended like a hero from the heavens.

“Elder Sister, why is your face so red? Are you ill?”

Jiang Yuncai touched her sister’s burning cheeks. “Oh no, you’re really feverish! You’re burning up!”

“I’m not!”

The bashful beauty stole a glance at Ma Yiyang before quickly looking away.

She thought no one noticed, but the stern-faced man’s lips quirked faintly.

A few bailiffs clicked their tongues. “Why did the boss order us to chase that pickpocket all the way to Hanlu Temple?”

“Probably to trap him like a turtle in a jar.”

“I could’ve sworn we had him cornered in the market. Feels like the boss went easy on him.”

“Nonsense! Our boss is the iron-fisted Black-Faced Judge. Since when does he let criminals off? Watch your mouth.”

“Right, right. My mistake.”

Whether Ma Yiyang had done it on purpose, Jiang Yuncai didn’t know. All she knew was that after returning from Hanlu Temple, her sister would often gaze out the window, lost in silent laughter.

Sometimes, after smiling, she’d mope the entire day.

It was unsettling.

Arms laden with seven or eight portrait scrolls, Jiang Yuncai pushed open the door and announced with feigned nonchalance, “Elder Sister, Father and Mother are arranging your marriage.”

Truth be told, the Jiang Family’s influence was soaring. Even with Jiang Yunxia’s tarnished reputation, many would still leap at the chance to wed into their household.

But the Empress had decreed: those who sought to ally now were surely not sincere. Better to select from families of upright morals, kind dispositions, and modest status—even accepting a son-in-law would suffice.

Hence, their parents had settled on finding a groom.

The men in the portraits had been meticulously chosen—some strikingly handsome, others brilliant scholars, some of impeccable virtue, and still others from households where taking concubines was forbidden.

In short, only the finest candidates made it to Jiang Yunxia’s hands.

As if waking from a dream, Jiang Yunxia flinched, knocking over the jewelry box on her dressing table. A cascade of glittering gems scattered across the floor.

“Elder Sister!”

“What’s wrong?”

“How could you be so careless?”

Ma Yiyang’s sharp, blade-like features flashed through her mind, overlapping with the spilled jewels. Her heart pounded like thunder, her thoughts in chaos.

Ma Yiyang… Ma Yiyang…

“Elder Sister, have you heard?”

Jiang Yuncai picked up the jewelry box and set it back on the dressing table, her tone ominous. “That Ministry of Punishment chief clerk, Ma Yiyang, has been sent by the Empress to investigate a cursed region. Father says… he might not return alive. Ma Yiyang even begged Fourth Uncle to look after his elderly mother and sister.”

Settling his affairs?

Did that mean he intended to die there?

“Elder Sister, Ma Yiyang did save your life. He leaves tomorrow… Shouldn’t we see him off? To repay the debt—and to ease your heart.”

Better that than letting him die on duty, still thinking someone owed him.

“But… wouldn’t that be improper? If Father and Mother found out…”

The Jiang Family had already expressed their gratitude to Ma Yiyang, sending gifts to his home.

Knowing his family was poor, Mother had even discreetly pressed a hundred taels of silver into the old lady’s hands.

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Ma Yiyang’s elder sister had been given a job teaching embroidery at the sewing house—also arranged by Mother.

By any measure, the Jiangs had fulfilled their obligations honorably.

If Jiang Yunxia went to thank Ma Yiyang in private and her parents discovered it, they’d break her legs.

It wasn’t arrogance—just that her parents’ actions made it clear: Ma Yiyang’s humble origins could never match the illustrious Jiang Family.

“Then how about this?”

Mischief sparkled in Jiang Yuncai’s wide eyes. “You go. I’ll cover for you at home. Just return by sunset.”

She’d suspected her sister was lovestruck—even when betrothed to the Su heir, she’d never been this distracted.

This little test had confirmed it.

Elder Sister’s heart belonged to the Black-Faced Judge.

Watching Jiang Yunxia’s retreating figure, now brimming with newfound energy, Jiang Yuncai sighed. “Ah well. If Elder Sister loves him this much… a Black-Faced Judge is fine too.”

She just hoped Father and Mother would accept it.